It is planned to build a HPP on Lake Issyk in the Ile-Alatau National Park
The dam on Lake Issyk needed to be modernized for a long time. After an unsuccessful choice of contractor, the dam and lake were returned to the state. In 2024, there were new investors who plan to restore the dam, build a hydroelectric power station and develop tourism in the national park. The object was transferred to them in trust management for 49 years.
Lake Issyk is located on the territory of the Ile-Alatau National Park. In 2018, the authorities transferred Lake Issyk and the dam to the trust management of Kazelectroenergia LLP for restoration work. However, according to the Akimat of Almaty region, the investor has not fulfilled his obligations. The restoration work has not begun. In 2023, litigation began on the termination of the contract with the company, as a result of which the facility was returned to state control.
In December 2024, according to the results of the tender, the dam on Lake Issyk and the adjacent territory were transferred to the management of Khabel LLP for a period of 49 years. This was announced in April 2025. The decision was explained by the need to modernize hydraulic structures, reduce the burden on the budget and develop the tourist infrastructure of the region. The investor pledged to invest 23.6 billion tenge and create 150 jobs. In the first five years, he must strengthen the dam and ensure its reliable operation.
According to the extract from EGOV, Habel LLP was registered in 2021. Its sole founder and first head is Adilzhan Khabiyev. The main activity of the LLP is the production of special technological equipment for the electronic industry. According to the State Revenue Committee, the LLP has not paid taxes since registration.
Kursiv learned what awaits Lake Issyk and the dam in the coming years.
“Requires urgent work”
During a press conference on April 16, Deputy head of the Finance Department of Almaty region Anara Akchulakova said that now the dam is “not in an emergency condition, but requires urgent capital work for the safety of operation of the reservoir.”
Director of Khabel LLP Adilzhan Khabiyev also mentioned that a control and monitoring center will be created at the facility, ground motion sensors will be installed on dangerous slopes, and water level rise sensors will be installed in the lake. This system will allow to notify people in advance about potential threats of mudslides and will help to conduct emergency evacuation. In addition, an evacuation plan will be developed in case of an emergency.
“Initially, this is a hydraulic engineering structure ― it was in the office of Kazselezashchita at the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan, that is, this facility was created as a self-protective structure against meltwater that descends from the mountains. First of all, the facility will be controlled by the Emergency Department, the authorized body, the Kazselezashchita subdivision is located there on the territory, they have their own office there, which controls the opening and closing of the locks. There is a Balkhash-Alakol basin inspection. Naturally, the finance department, as the founder, will also control all this from our side,” explained Anara Akchulakova.
Khabiyev also mentioned that since 1998, no cleaning has been carried out on Lake Issyk. The company has an expert opinion on this.
Hydroelectric power station
Answering journalists’ questions, Adilzhan Khabiyev said that they plan to build their own hydroelectric power station on Lake Issyk. Its estimated capacity is 10 MW. The cost of construction can cost, as Khabiev said, at least $ 20 million.
“The construction of our own hydroelectric power station is designed for our own needs, first of all – autonomous provision, so as not to depend on companies such as Kazelectroenergia. This is done, among other things, to ensure that our sensors on the slopes, seismic sensors, and tracking of water level rise work,” Khabiev explained. According to him, electricity can also be supplied to the common networks, but the tariff has not yet been calculated.
Khabiev assures that all works on Lake Issyk are consistent with the Ile-Alatau National Park and comply with the standards of the legislation of Kazakhstan. According to him, they will use environmentally friendly solutions that meet international standards.
Investments
According to Khabiev, the main investor and partner of the project was the International American Foundation. He also explained that the creation of Khabel LLP from scratch specifically for this project was one of the requirements of investors so that “in the future there would be no claims and questions from third parties.”
Adilzhan Khabiyev noted that international investors are considering the possibility of returning investments at the expense of a hydroelectric power station: “The main thing that international companies, for example, Chinese companies, are interested in, why HPPs are very interesting for them, because there is a clear approach, tariff, electricity ― they see it and it’s good for them. There are also options for water ― service, and, of course, tourism.”
But Khabiev could not name specific dates for the return of investments, because they are “different” for each of the objects in the project.
“There are facilities that are really long-term, there are short-term. Inside the project there are meals, houses for tourists, there are projects that carry a social burden – we do not expect them to receive any investments,” he concluded.
Tourism
During the press conference, Anara Akchulakova noted that they also plan to develop tourism on the lake: install a cell phone tower, open mobile food outlets and build facilities with rooms for vacationers.
Adilzhan Khabiyev assured that the development in the natural park will be environmentally friendly and without a foundation. He also promised that ordinary Kazakhstanis will be able to afford rest in the park, and entry to the site will not be paid.
Nikita Danilin (“Italics”)
